Crim catcher

Jeffre Murray, of DNA Security Solutions, shows off the effect the security system’s spray has on human skin when viewed under a special black light.Adam Hourigan

by David Bancroft

IT'S invisible to the naked eye, delivered without the knowledge of the perpetrators and a game-breaker in identifying suspects in break-ins, armed hold-ups and a host of other crimes.

And it has just been installed at the Yamba Golf Club.

The new DNA-based security system installed this week uses a fine mist that includes a dye only visible under black light and a DNA strand specific to the establishment, in this case the golf club, to tag criminals in a way that it is impossible for them to say they had not been on the site.

Using a special black-light torch, police can first identify whether the invisible dye is on the suspect and, if so, can take a swab to see if they have been tagged with the DNA.

Adelaide-based DNA Security Solutions has installed a number of units in the golf club and is confident the installation alone will deter criminals, but if not, positively identify them in subsequent investigations.

Company business development manager Jeffre Murray, said he loved it because it gave them irrefutable evidence a person was at the scene of a crime.

"We've never had a situation where a person could prove they weren't there," he said.

"We've had very few activations because it is such a massive deterrent.

"We've not yet been tested in court because everyone has admitted guilt as soon as they have seen evidence.

"There were more 360 cases of it being used in England and only five went to court - all five were convicted.

"It goes hand in hand with CCTV. Ninety-five per cent of the time police know who it is who has done it, but just don't have the proof. This gives them that proof.

"Even with ski masks they breathe it in and it can be traced with a nasal swab."

Mr Murray said the system could spray 15 times before being recharged.

The DNA tag and dye lasts until the person exfoliates two layers of skin.

That can vary according to the person, but the company always advertises it lasts six weeks.

"We've had clothes tested after seven years and still found it on them and they were clothes that were washed all the time," Mr Murray said.

He said criminals were well aware of the system and if they knew it was installed, would simply go elsewhere.

Golf club general manager Greg Acret said the club had been the subject of multiple break-ins and hold-ups over the past two years, including one where a staff member was hospitalised.

"It's not expensive for what it is," he said.

"With all the problems we've had in Yamba, we just had to do something - we've had a lot of break-ins.

"The thing is we know who they are and the police know who they are. They were just flaunting the old security system. They look up at our security cameras and give you the finger and carry on like idiots because they know they have got masks on and they're covered up so that we can't do anything about it.

"But with this, if the police think they know who they are, all they have to do is put them under the black light and they can't deny they were here then."